Old Ship Aground, Minehead

Somewhat away from the town centre, occupying a position on Minehead’s small historic harbourside is The Old Ship Aground, a pub that claims to have a “unique family atmosphere”. It’s a smallish single bar pub with several areas at the back away from the bar clearly designed to accommodate diners, with standard tables and chairs arranged for couples and foursomes as close together as reasonably practical. Walls here are decorated with local photographs and Exmoor memorabilia. Reflecting the fact that the local RNLI Lifeboat Station is virtually next door, there’s also a number of photographs of the boat and crew at sea, but I didn’t see anything to indicate whether the pub name derived from any specific named shipwreck incident. The area at the front of the pub, probably a separate room once, has a beamed ceiling and a snooker table away from the bar, alongside which is a long padded bench. The bar counter is here at the front of the pub and stools reflect the fact that this is where the locals tend to congregate – “clique corner” as it is called. This area is also carpeted with padded seats, some looking rather worn. A fruit machine, dart board and juke box contribute to what is, in overall terms, a rather standard chain pub interior, with little of specific note. Although the pub dates back to the 1900’s, it doesn’t have much of an original pub feel at all. 4 beers were on – Exmoor Gold, St Austells Tribute and, most notably Ruddles County and Courage Best, which appear to be the standard range. On my visit 90% of the real ale trade was for the Tribute and I didn’t recollect seeing anyone order either the Ruddles or the Courage. I didn’t detect any specific interest in real ale from the management, but both the Tribute and the Exmoor Gold were in excellent form, both priced at £ 2.90p. The pub is a CAMRA Good Beer Guide regular. A somewhat grumpy and humourless landlady completed the picture at what I thought, at the end of the day, was a rather average and ordinary pub.

Good comfortable traditional pub in pleasant setting by the quay and far enough away from the main drag to put of the majority of tourists. Beers well kept, four pumps with varying ales (I've had Otter Ale, Tribute and Exmoor Gold at different times) and the food is quite good and a reasonable price, although the menu is a little predicatable. Above average and worth the brisk walk to the harbour.